AOEU utilizes the ADDIE instructional design model for course design and revisions. As the subject matter expert, I was supplied with an instructional design document that included a brief analysis summary created by the learning experience designer which communicated the targeted goals for the course revision.

I was provided direct access to the abovementioned student evaluations and faculty survey data for review, and conducted a supplemental analysis of formative and summative assessment data gathered throughout the instruction of multiple sections of Studio: Watercolor from 2020 to 2022. Upon completion of this analysis, I identified the additional knowledge and skill gaps that also needed to be addressed during the course revision:

1. An overview of common, watercolor-specific compositional issues and resources and strategies for planning for, identifying, and solving them.

2. An opportunity to situate their art practice within the larger context of contemporary watercolor painting.

3. An alternative summative assessment that more effectively supports reflection and critical thinking.

Using the Understanding by Design (or Backward Design) instructional design model, the next phase of the course revision process was to create and align objectives, assessments, and learning activities. Throughout this phase of the course revision, we had to consider the following constraints:

1. Studio course format (8 weeks/modules) and AOEU course template (each week must include: Introduction/Overview, Required Resources, Discussion Board, and Assignment)

2. An asynchronous learning environment

3. The wide range of student experience with watercolor (novice to expert)

The learning experience designer included the following course objectives within the instructional design document:

1. Develop, enhance, and/or extend watercolor painting curriculum and instructional materials.

2. Utilize concept, process, instructional best practice, and media-specific techniques to create authentic artworks.

3. Investigate contemporary and historical perspectives specific to watercolor.

These course objectives were determined by the AOEU curriculum team and formed the foundation for all module-level objectives, assessments, and learning activities. As the subject matter expert for this course revision, I created more specific module-level objectives to support the course objectives and designed assessments, developed discussion board prompts, and curated instructional materials that aligned with those objectives.

Assessments for this studio course include original artworks, instructional tools, and reflective writing/portfolio projects.

While the LXD was responsible for communicating content needs with AOEU’s videographers and graphic designers, I played a hands-on role in the development of original content for this course revision by writing text and gathering relevant content (such as images) for handouts and PDFs, scriptwriting and editing content for instructional videos, and providing an annotated bibliography for all resources to be entered in the course LMS (D2L Brightspace).

As the SME and an adjunct instructor with AOEU, I also had the opportunity to facilitate the first section of this revised course in January 2023. Throughout this phase of the revision, I maintained consistent contact with the LXD and developed a faculty resource document for the other instructors who would also teach this course. This document included supplemental resources and notes on potential problem areas identified during the course implementation.

At the conclusion of the Implementation phase, I completed a Course Correction Form to document any additional issues I observed throughout the course. Examples of this were student interactions with the course materials, student interpretation of discussion questions, and clarity of assignment instructions based on student submissions.

Students also completed an End of Course Survey that communicates their reaction to the course (Kirkpatrick Level 1). This survey gathered student feedback on the course content as well as the effectiveness of the instructor.